ABL SET TO TREK TO UPN? MAYBE, BUT FOX ISN'T INTERESTED

The ABL "is close to a time-buy deal with UPN" that
would bring the league "some needed national exposure,"
according to Terry Lefton of BRANDWEEK. UPN would put the
games on Saturday afternoons. ABL CEO Gary Cavalli "would
neither confirm, nor comment on the negotiations." In
addition, the ABL "is seeking additional exposure for its
upcoming season through an ad hoc network of PBS stations
that would air ABL games for little or no charge." The ABL
was on BET and Fox Sports Net last year (BRANDWEEK, 6/29).
Cavalli is quoted in the HARTFORD COURANT as saying, "We're
very close to a TV deal. We'll hope to announce something
in two to four weeks." The league had "tried to induce Fox
to buy a broadcast-partial ownership package, which the
network turned down." Fox Sports Senior VP/Media Relations
Vince Wladika: "They've come to us three times with a
prospectus and we've told them no" (HARTFORD COURANT, 6/30).